Apparatus for sealing glass ampoules



OOO QOQ O OQQ Q 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. D. RALSTON APPARATUS FOR SEALING GLASS AMPOULES g e n r. o H a ZSnventor OOGQOBQQOOOOQOOOQQOQQQOQQ O 80000068 0D00 JOHN D. RALSTON April 7, 1953 Filed April 15, 1950 April 7, 1953 J. D. RALSTON 2,633,672

APPARATUS FOR SEALING GLASS AMPOULES Filed April 15, 1950 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 4: Fig. 3 F 39 49 2o 37 40 A 84 27 A 6 27 I I I 26 A 23 23 I I 2 v i 85 22 3' I V 2' 3o 3| 30 I03 Q 34 I 34 H Q QEQEQEQiE mentor JOHN RALSTO-N altomegs April 7, 1953 J. D. RALSTON 235331572v APPARATUS FOR SEALING GLASS AMPOULES Filed April 15, 1950 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 Znwenfor JOHN D. RALS TON Cmomegs Apnl 7, 1953 J. D. RALSTON 2,633,672

APPARATUS FOR SEALINGGLASS AMPOULES Filed April 13, 1950 l1 Sheets-Sheet 5 JOHN D. RALSTON gm "cu v V Vail {Mg/C Aprll 7, 1953 J. D. RALSTON APPARATUS FOR SEALING GLASS AMPOULES Filed April 13. 1950 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 mm QB 3maentor JOHN 0. RALSTON April 7, 1953 J. D. RALSTON APPARATUS FOR SEALING GLASS AMPOULES ll Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed April 15, 1950 Zhmentor JOHN D. RALSTON Fig. I9

(Ittomegs Apnl 7, 1953 J. D. RALSTON 2,633,672

APPARATUS FOR SEALING 'GLASS AMPOULES Filed April 13, 1950 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 3nnentor JOHN RALSTON iiz w W Gttomegs Aprll 7', 1.953 J. D. RALSTO'N- 2,633,672

APPARATUS FOR SEALING GLASS AMPOULES 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 15 [19501 Fig. 33

,ZSnventor (Ittomegs April 7, 1953 J. D. RALSTON APPARATUS FOR SEALING GLASS AMPOULES ll Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed April 15, l950 Fig; 35

- H Imventor JOHN D. RALSTON Fig. 37

(Ittomegs Aprll 7,1953 J. D. RALSTON APPARATUS FOR SEALING cuss AMPOULES 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed April 13, 1950 I ZSnnentor JOHN D. RALSTON Patented Apr. 7, 1953 g SPATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR SEALING GLASS AMPOULES John D. Ralston, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application April 13, 1950, Serial No. 155,748

Claims. (Cl. 49-7) .This invention relates to an apparatus for sealing containers, more particularly containers which are made of glass or similar material, and is especially adapted for use in sealing ampoules and the like which contain a medicinal or pharmaceutical preparation. Ampoules are normally made of glass and are hermetically sealed, so as to prevent contaminationof the medicinal or pharmaceutical preparation contained therein, the ampoule being adapted to be broken at a particular place for access thereto when the contents are to be used. In the sealing of such containers, one general practice has been to seal the ampoules by hand operations, which are not only time consuming but also tend to produce unsightly seals and ampoules of different length, which may not fit in standard packing cartons. Also, if during the manipulation of the ampoule during sealing, any liquid in the ampoule is splashed up into or contacts a highly heated portion thereof, the glass may crack, the splashed portion of a pharmaceutical or medicinal product may become carbonized, thus producing an unwanted adulterant, or there may be a local generation of steam or vapor which produces suflicient pressure to blow or open up the softened glass tip. Also, often there is a'rounded gob of glass at the top of the thinvv-alled stem, which produces stress and a tendency to fracture on cooling, and incomplete fusion of the top often occurs, thereby leaving a channel, perhaps microscopic in size but nevertheless an incomplete seal. This may be termed a melted in seal, and a twisted seal, produced by twisting the heated portion of the stem during sealing, tends to minimize fractures and incomplete fusion, but is extremely difficult to perform or duplicate by hand. Attempts to produce machines for sealing ampoules and the like have not been entirely satisfactory, since the capacity has been unduly low and the machines have been relatively slow in speed.

Ampoules for containing medicinals and pharmaceuticals, of a type now in general use, are provided with a narrow neck below the point at which the top is to be sealed, the narrow neck being adapted to be broken later, to permit access to the contents for use. In an earlier type, the diameter above the neck is relatively uniform, the sides above the neck thus being straight, while in a later typ .the top is provided with a second jn'eck above the first, the second neck having a portion of reduced cross sectional area adapted to be more readily sealed, and the upper end'is a portion of increased diameter, which may be used as a guide in filling. In general, machines heretofore developed are adapted for use in sealing only the earlier type, the upperend of which can be fused or melted together for sealing.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide a novel apparatus for sealing containers, particularly ampoules and the like;1to provide such apparatus which may be utilized in sealing ampoules of the type having straight sides above the neck, or other types, such as the type having a second neck; to provide such apparatus which tends to reduce the amount of breakage due to splashing of the contents into a heated portion thereof; to provide an improved apparatus which may be utilized particularly in sealing ampoules or the like having relatively wide stems, or relatively thick glass, particularly at the stems; to provide an apparatus which insures that the top of the ampoule will be adequately sealed, without holes therein; to provide such apparatus which will insure that the sealed tops of the ampoules will have more nearly the same thickness of glass as the stems; to provide such apparatus which has a relatively high capacity and can be operated at a relatively high speed; to provide such apparatus in which eachampoule can be sealed in substantially the same way; to provide such apparatus which, when once adjusted for satisfactory operation, may be operated continuously with a minimum of rejects or difiiculties; to provide such apparatus which may be utilized in sealing different sizes as well as types of ampoules or other containers; to provide such apparatus which may be made substantially automatic; to provide such apparatus in which the moving parts may be so synchronized that there will be little or no opportunity for breakage or other adverse occurrences; to provide such apparatus which is readily adjusted to accommodate different sizes of ampoules; to provide such apparatus which may be made in different forms; to provide such apparatus in which the upper portion of an ampoule is effectively removed and automatically discharged; to provide a novel ampoule engaging finger or hook, particularly useful in the apparatus of this invention; to provide such a hook which is particularly adapted to be utilized in connection with the type of ampoule in which a sealing section or second neck is disposed above the neck adapted to be broken for access to the contents; to provide a device for removing the upper end of an ampoule having straight sides above the neck; to provide such a'device which is particularly adapted to be used in the apparatus of this invention; and to provide such apparatus which is economical an effective in operation. Additional objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows.

In accordance with the novel apparatus of this invention, a plurality of containers formed of glass or the like and having material in the lower portion thereof, are sealed by passing a plurality of such containers in succession along a predetermined path, imparting to the containers a spinning motion about the longitudinal axis' thereof, applying heat to a predetermined section of each container during spinning, such section being intermediate the ends thereof and also spaced from any material in the lower portion of the container, restraining axial movement of the lower portion of each container, continuously supporting the upper end of each container as the section being heated becomes softened, then exerting an axial pull to cause the upper portion of the container to be removed from the lower portion thereof, and preferably continuing the application of heat to form a relatively smooth seal at the separated section of the lower portion. The support of the upper end of each container during heating is highly desirable to prevent a slumping of the heated section, which tends to cause undue thickness, and also to prevent a blow out.

In further accordance with this invention, the supporting step may include an axial pull, or pre pull on the upper end ofeach container as the section being heated becomes softened, and the axial pull may then be relaxed, but not to the extent of relinquishing adequate support of the upper portion of the container. The prepull, or axial pull on each ampoule after initial heating, may be sufficient in amount to cause a preliminary elongation of the heated section, to provide additional expansion space, although having a tendency to produce a thinner wall section, while the relaxation of the pre-pul1 permits the heated section to become slightly thicker, i. e., more nearly the thickness of adjacent wall portions. The pre pull may be utilized to particular advantage in the case of containers having relatively wide stems, or whose stems are formed of relatively thick glass, to enable the portion to be sealed to be partially closed before final heating and separation. The prepull may be, while the final pull is preferably, accompanied by restraint of the tendency of the upper end of the container to spin.

The application of heat is preferably continued for a suflicient time after the upper section is removed, so that the point of severance will be melted down slightly to form a smooth, effectively sealed top or point at the upper end of the sealed ampoule. The method by use of the apparatus of this invention may also include the additional step of cooling, subsequent to final heating. Heating is conveniently accomplished by gas flames, and the length, temperature and other characteristics of the flames may be controlled by utilizing a mixture of fuel gas, and/ or oxygen in varying proportions and at varying pressures.

Apparatus particularly adapted to carry out such a method is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a three dimensional view of apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial longitudinal vertical section,

'4 on an enlarged scale, taken along line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial transverse vertical section on a further enlarged scale, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a partial horizontal plan view, taken along the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of an ampoule engaging hook or' fing'er forming a novel part of the apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a cross section of the hook, taken along line G6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an elevation of one size of ampoule adapted to be sealed by the apparatus of this invention, and illustrating the manner of engagement of the hook of Fig. 5;

Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, are similar elevations of other sizes of ampoules;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a modified form of ampoule engaging hook or finger;

Fig. 13 is an end elevation, partly in section and on an enlarged scale, of a. cup oftheapparatus of Fig. 1 provided with an adapter to accommodate the ampoule of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a. cross section taken along line I l-ll of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a partial side elevation, on an en-- larged scale, taken from the opposite'side of the apparatus from which Fig. 2 is taken and illus trating a modification thereof;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken along line iii-4 6 of Fig. 15

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along line i'l'l'l of Fig. 15; V

Fig. 18 is a three dimensional schematic illustration of the drive arrangement of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 19. is a vertical section taken through a portion of the drive mechanism, at the position of line l9-l9 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section taken along line 2ll2ll of Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a vertical section taken through a portion of the drive mechanism, at the position of line 2I-2I of Fig. 18;

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary cross-section corresponding to the upper portion of Fig. 19, illustrating an alternative ampoule guiding and restraining strip or plate;

Fig. 23 is a similar fragmentary cross-section, illustrating another alternative ampoule guiding and restraining strip or plate;

Fig. 24 is a top plan view and partly schematic illustration of a heating assembly and flame control arrangement;

Fig. 25 is a cross section taken along line 25-45 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a, fragmentary front elevation of the heating nozzles and orifices shown in Figs. 24 and 25;

Figs. 27 and 28 are orifice diagrams, illustrating alternative flame patterns;

Fig. 29 is a top plan view of a flame pipe and'an air cooling pipe, the latter of which may be mounted on the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 30 is a fragmentary vertical section, illustrating a multiple type conveyor chain provided with cups adapted to accommodate relatively long containers;

Fig, 31 is a fragmentary vertical section, illustrating a magnetic grippin device which may be utilized in sealing plain top ampoules or the like;

Fig. 32 is an enlarged top plan view of the gripping device of Fig. 31

' Fig. 33 is a transverse section taken along line 33-33 of Fig. 32;

Fig. 34 is a side elevation of a pulling assembly utilizing the gripping device of Fig. 31, the gripping devices being in section along 1ine 3424 of Fig. 31;

Fig.- 35 is a fragmentary top plan view of an alternative type of chain adapted to carry the ampoule engaging hooks;

Fig. 36 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating an attachment for the apparatus, adapted to facilitate discharge of the tops of relatively small ampoules from the hooks;

Fig. 3'7 is a perspective view of a major portion of a machine alternative to that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 38 is a partial transverse vertical section, similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating an alternative carrier and spinning section;

Fig. 39 is a partial front elevation of a spinning and pressure element of Fig, 38; V

Fig. 40 is an enlarged cross section of the spinning and pressure element;

Fig. 41 is a similar cross-section of an alternative spinning and pressure element;

Figs. 42 to 46, inclusive, are fragmentary vertical sections illustratin adjustment and variation of the'carrier and spinning section of Fig. 38 to accommodate several different sizes of ampoules; and

Figs. 47 to 49, inclusive, are top plan views of Figs. 42 to 44, respectively.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention, as illustrated in Fig. 1, may comprise a conveyor C, mounted in a housing H and adapted to move a plurality of ampoules in succession through a spinning section S, above which is a pull assembly P, adjustable in position. The conveyor C includes an endless chain it to which a plurality of cups l l are attached at spaced intervals and which passes over a drive sprocket It at one end and an idler sprocket is at the opposite end. Each cup H, as in Fig. 3, may be mounted on a strip M, which extends laterally to each side so as to rest on the tops of a pair of angles or upper guide bars i5, which support the chain and also maintain the cups l l at a uniform elevation during the upper traverse of the chain, while the lower run of the chain may be supported by lower guide bars 16, on which the ends of strips [4 rest. Each cup H, as in Fig. 3, is adapted to receive an ampoule A, shown also in Fig. '7, such as of the type having a lower or main body section I! in which the medicinal or pharmaceutical, or other material, is contained, and directly thereabove a neck i8 which is adapted to be broken to obtain access to thecontents of the ampoule. A bulge i9 above the neck 88 is adapted to be grasped by the user in breaking the neck 118, while an upper neck or elongated sealing section 29, of reduced cross sectional area, is adapted to be heated for severing and simultaneously sealing. Above the sealing section 2%! is an enlarged top 2|, which may be used as a guide in filling and also may be engaged by a finger or fork F of the pull assembly P of Fig. 1.

The spinning section S, as in Figs. 3 and 4, includes a pair of endless belts 22 and 22 which may be formed of rubber tubing orthe like, and more preferably disposed in a horizontal plane, to engage the ampoules A on opposite sides during traverse of the inner portion of the paths thereof. Belts 22 and'22' are moved in the same direction, so that movement along the inner paths will be in opposite directions, so as to more effectively spin each ampoule'A while in a cup I I. The outer belt 22, the 'ampoule engaging section of which is traveling in the same direction as the ampoules, is preferably moved at a considerably greater speed than the inner belt 22-, the ampoule engaging section of which is traveling in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the ampoules. In general, the diiferent speeds of the belts may be proportioned in accordance with the following formulae, the speeds or velocities indicated being expressed in terms of ft. per sec., ft. per min., etc.

and

where:

Vf=Sped of front belt 22 Vr=speed or rear belt 22' V1=Speed of conveyor C, and Vz=Peripheral speed of rotating ampoules As the ampoules A are moved along by the conveyor C, each begins to spin as it reaches the spinning section S, and continues spinning until it leaves the spinning section. At the same time, beveled edges 23 of oppositely disposed, horizontal guide plates 24 and 25 engage a neck I8 of each ampoule A, as in Fig. 3, the plates 24 and 25 being provided with slots 28 and adjustable by means of thumb screws 27, so as to leave sufficient clearance for rotation or spinning, but prevent axial movement of the ampoules. The plates 24 and 25 comprise one form of means for restraining axial movement of the lower portion of each ampoule, although other forms may be utilized, such as described later.

The opposite ends of each endless belt 22 and 22, as in Fig. 4, pass around a drive roller 28 and an idler roller 29, which are respectively disposed at opposite ends of the spinning sections, the drive roller 28 for belt 22 being disposed at the opposite end of the spinning section S from the drive roller 28 for belt 22, so that each belt will be pulled along the ampoules, rather than pushed. In addition, during travel along the inner portion of its path, each endless belt is pressed inwardly by a plurality of pressure rollers 32, which force the belts against the ampoules. Each pressure roller 30, as in Fig. 3, may be mounted for free rotation on the upper end of a post 3 I, which in turn is pivoted on a pin 32 adjacent the lower end thereof, while a spring 33 may be connected to the lower end of each post 3| to urge the pressure roller -39 inwardly to press the belt 22 or 22' against the ampoules A. The pins 32 for posts 3| may be mounted individually, or may comprise a single rod, as in Figs. 4 and 15, extending longitudinally between brackets 34, the latter in turn being mounted in a convenient manner, as on a longitudinal bar 35, to the underside of which the springs 33 may also be attached, as in Fig. 3. The bars 35 may conveniently form a portion of the framework of housing H.-

As each ampoule A travels along the spinning section :3, the elongated sealing section 20 thereof is heated, as by a series of heating gas flames discharged from orifices 36 in a flame pipe 31, as in Figs. 2 and 3, or orifices 35, in a series of nozzles 38, as in Figs. 24-26, which will be de-' scribed later. The heating'flames are preferably adjusted so as to produce the desired amount of heat as the ampoules move along, depending upon the diameter and wall thickness of the sealing section 20 of the ampoules, variation in the acsa'cra heating effect of the flames being obtained, when desired ;or necessary, in any suitable manner, such as by mixing combustible gases of different B. t. u..content,, or by using a gas such as propane, butane or the like, and varying the amount of oxygen :available for combustion, as by varying the amountof oxygen in :anoxygen enriched air supply. .Also, as the ampoules move along the spinning section S, the top of each ampoule is engaged, and then .removed, by the finger F of the pul1 assembly P, as in Fig, 2. Each finger F is moved around a closed path, preferably in a vertical plane, by an endless chain 39, on which a plurality of links or blocks 4!], as in Figs. 2 and 3, are pivotally mounted, one for each finger F, and each of which also carries a laterally extending rod 4|, on the outer end of which a finger vF is mounted. The chain 39 may move around the edge of a vertical plate 42, which .maycorrespond in shape generally to an obtuse triangle, with arcuate corners, the front lower point 43 thereof being the start of an upward movement of the fingers F which removes the upper ends of the ampoules A. The blocks it ride along the upper edge of plate 32, and the rounded, upper front corner 44 of the plate tips the fingers by engagement with blocks 4%, for discharge of the removed ampoule tops 2| into a discharge chute 45. The fingers F are preferably made of heat resistant material, such as stainless steel, while the guide plates '24 and-25 also tend to protect the spinning belts 22 and 22' from the effect of the heating flames. As in Figs. 1 and 2, the center of gravity of the assembly which includes a finger F, a rod 4| and .a block 4|], is preferably such that as the chain 39 passes along the lower portion of its path of traverse, the blocks 48, which, of course, are spaced laterally from the ampoules A, will hang slightly to the rear, and the fingers F are preferably mounted on the rods 6| so that the front end of each finger will be tipped slightly upwardly.

The speed of the conveyor C and the heating effect of the flames are preferably so correlated that as the ampoules move along, as in Fig. 2, the glass of the sealing section 29 of each ampoule will become soft, such as when the ampoule reaches about the midpoint of thespinning section S, so that when point 43 is reached, the top of the ampoule may be pulled off, a fiber H of glass usually being pulled off along with the top 2|, which drops from the finger F into discharge chute t5. The remainder of the sealing section of the ampoule, or the top of the ampoule after the original top has been removed, maybe still exposed to the heating flames, and thus melted down into a smooth, rounded top il of Fig. 2. After sealing, the ampoules may be carried by the conveyor C to a point of discharge, such as into-a discharge chute or trough d8 of Fig. 1, which may have a bottom of canvas or the like and along which the sealed 'ampoules may slide to acontainer or a conveyor to be carried to a suitable place for packing. If desired, a cooling jet, asof air, may follow the heatingfiames, as will be described later.

It will be evident, of course, that the plates 24 and 25 will restrain the lower portion of each ampoule from axial movement, while permitting spinning by belts 22 and 22, and the fingers F will support the upperendsof the ampoules durheating, thus preventing any sagging or undue thickening of the heated section. Also, the fingers F will tend to restrain rotation of the upper ends of the ampoules, and after the point 44 is reached, will prevent rotation, thereby causing the heated section to be twisted off as well as pulled. Such twisting tends to cause the separating section of glass tocoalesoe, to produce separation along a solid, rather than a hollow section of glass, and thereby prevent the formation of microscopic channels. Also, the upward pull will cause fiber 46 to come off with the top 2|, so that the top 'l of the lower portion of the .ampoule will not be unduly thick.

vIn some instances, it will be desirable to use a pre-pull in which heat is applied so that the glass will be sufliciently softened, as at about the midpoint of the lower path of travel of the fingers F, at which time .a slight upward pull on the top of the ampoule can be made .by the .finger F, so as to produce a slight elongation .and narrower section. The upward pull on the ampoule is then slightly released, the section thenbecoming slightly thicker, after which the top of the ampoule is pulled ch in the manner, described above. For such method, the sealing section 20 of each ampoule is preferably heated at an appropriate rate, so that when the pre-pull position is reached, the glass at the heated section will have become sufiiciently soft to permit gently increased tension to partial pulling, without the danger of cracking or otherwise damaging the glass, although it may or may not be molten until the final pull position is reached. Dependent upon the amount of heating and the relative resistance to torsion at the heated section, when each ampoule reaches the pre-pull position, the fingers F'may sufficiently prevent rotation or spinning of the top of the ampoule, so that when the sealing section is narrowed, it will be completely closed, or substantially so and twisted. Thus, when the pre-pull is released, the section which settles may be a substantially solid section, and when the final pull is made, the ampoule will be separated along a solid section. Or, the amount of heating of the sealing section prior to the pre-pull may be suficient to cause the heated portion to coalesce and run together, so that the functionof th pre-pull may be primarily to expand the'lower portion of the ampoule, so that air or gas above the contents in the lower portion of the ampoule, upon expansion due to heating, will not tend to distend the softened glass, and form a small blow hole or the like. As is well. known, glass when molten or nearly so, is very weak and pliable, .and only a slight amount of air or gas pressure may be sufficient to bubble through, as it were.

Each of the fingers F may be specially constructed, so as to engage a variety of sizes of ampoules. For instance, as in Figs. 5 and 6, each finger F may have at the rear end a curled lip ,9 adapted to be clamped onto rod 4|, as in Fig. 3, while a broad, V-shaped slot 50 may extend from the front of the finger back to an arcuate central hole 5!. In addition, the central portion of the finger may be stamped or otherwise formedto provide a well or depression 52 having downwardly and inwardly extending sides, in the center of which the hole 5| is drilled, punched, or otherwise suitably formed and a portion of which is removed when slot 58 is formed. The shape and configuration of thewell or depression 52, as Well as the extent of slot 50 andcentral hole 5|, enables each finger to slide readily into position and then exert an upward pull .on the upper end of the ampoule during sealing and removal of such upper end. The well or depression 52 also contributes to the successful dis prematurely, prior to discharge into chute 45,

because of top heaviness. The strip 53 may be omitted, if desired, as in the case of the fingers F shown in Fig. 2.

In Figs. '7 to 11, inclusive, a number of sizes of ampoules are shown, and the probable relative points of engagement of the fingers F are also indicated. The ampoule A shown in Fig. 7 is illustrative of a 30 c. c. ampoule, i. e. one adapted to hold 30 c. c. of a liquid medicinal or pharmaceutical in the lower or body portion 11;

- that of Fig. 8 is illustrative of a 15 c. c. ampoule;

that of Fig. 9 is illustrative of a 7 c. o. ampoule; that of Fig. 10 is illustrative of a 3 c. c; ampoule; and that of Fig. 11 is illustrative of a 2 c. c. ampoule. As will be evident from Figs. 7 to 11, each size of ampoule shown may be passed through the spinning section with the neck [8, I811, [81), [80 or i8d, respectively, between the edges 23 of the guide plates 24 and 25 of Fig. 3, which guide plates may remain at the same elevation, being adjusted slightly inwardly or outwardly to accommodate different neck diameters. Also, the fingers F are adapted to engage the enlarged upper ends 2|, 21a, 2lb, 2Ic or 2ld,

respectively, of the various ampoules at substantially the same elevation, very little adjustment, if any, being necessary to shift from one to the other of the ampoules of Figs. 7 to 9 and 11, although the ampoule of Fig. 10 may require a greater amount of adjustment of the pulling assembly P. Of course, if the machine is operated on a standardized line of ampoules, for instance,

-which are specially made so that th fingers F will engage the upper end at exactly the same elevation for each, then substantially no adjustment therefor of the pulling assembly P is necessary.

It may sometimes happen that the dimensions of the upper ends of the ampoules, for a particular size, may vary somewhat, particularly along the tapering portion below the point of largest diameter. Often, the point of largest diameter has been found to tend to be more nearly uniform, so that the center hole of the finger F of Figs. 5 and 6 may be made larger, or a slightly different finger, such as the finger F of Fig. 12,

a may be used, although in either case, the nominal sizes on which such a finger may be utilized will be reduced to perhaps two or three. As in Fig. 12, the finger F, which may be mounted on a rod 4|, by a rear lip 49, as before, is generally fiat and provided with a center hole 51', which extends to the front edge but is slightly greater than 180 in extent. In a manner explained I later, such a finger may be moved to a lower position at the beginning of the lower path of traverse, so as to pass around the stem, and then moved upwardly to engage the bulge of the upper end of the ampoule. Or, the finger may be turned as it engages the ampoules, so that the restricted portion of the hole 5 l may move across h largest size of ampoule or container which the cup ll, adjacent the top thereof.

10' machine is to seal, such as the ampoule of Fig. 7. The upper ends of the cups may, if desired, be outwardly flared to facilitate insertion of the ampoules. When smaller ampoules are to be carried by the conveyor C, an attachment may be inserted in each of tht cups H, such as the attachment 5A of Figs. 13 and 14, particularly adapted to receive the ampoule of Fig. 11. The

. attachment 54 may be generally cylindrical, being adapted to fit into the cup I i and having a flange 55 resting on the top of cup II and a well 56 in l which the ampoule is placed, the diameter of the well 56 preferably being such that the ampoule will readily spin, yet will have no tendency to become dislodged or misaligned. To retain the attachments 54 in each of the cups II, the body of the attachment may be provided with an annular groove 51 into which one end of a spring a clip 58 is adapted to fit, as by one end being bent and extending through a slot in the side wall of To accommodate other sizes of ampoules, such as those of Figs. 8 to 10, attachments having wells of an appropriate size, adapted to fit within the cup I1, and to be held therein in a suitable manner, as by the spring clip 58, may be provided for each different size of ampoule to be sealed. It will be understood, of course, that cups which are variable in size, or detachable cups for the various sized ampoules, such as cylinders having a threaded peg at the bottom and-adapted to engage a corresponding threaded hole in the strip I4,

. may also be utilized. Also, cups adjustable in size to accommodate various sizes of ampoules may "be provided.

In the pull assembly P, as in Fig. 15, the pat of the endless chain 39, which moves the forks F around the desired path, may be determined generally by an upper sprocket 60, a lower sprocket 6i and an end sprocket 62, the chain being moved in the direction of the arrows of Figs. 2 and l5. As the chain 39 moves the fingers F around, the blocks 48 follow the periphery of plate 42, which, as indicated previously, is preferably so-shaped that as the chain 39 passes around the upper sprocket 60, each block 40 will, in turn, be tipped upwardly, so that the previously removed upper portions of the ampoules fall from the fingersfF into chute 45, which may extend through the plate 32 to a suitable waste receptacle, or the like. As also indicated previously, as the chain 39 moves between the upper sprocket 60 and the end sprocket 62, shown in Fig. 15, the blocks will lie back and ride along the upper edge of the plate 42, as in Fig. 2. As the chain 39 passes around the end sprocket 62, the blocks 40 will tend to pivot and swing downwardly to a lower position, and to prevent a finger F from hitting the top of an ampoule, a guide strip 63, as in Fig.2, may be mounted in position to engage the corresponding block it, so that as one of the fingers F tends to fall outwardly, it will fall only to the upperdotted position of Fig. 2, and the block 40 will ride down along the guide strip 63, until the lower end of the guide strip is reached. At that time, the block 40 is released, and the fingerF will swing to the lower dotted position, so as to fall into the space between two ampoules, and thence into engagement with the ampoule A just ahead. The speed of movement of chain 39 is, of course, synchronized with the speed of movement of chain l0 so that the fingers and the ampoules will travel along at the same rate.

The sprockets 60, 6! and 62 for the endless chain 3 9 of the pull assembly P may eachbe mounted, as in Figs. 15 and 16, on shafts 65, B

and 68, respectively, which shafts also support the plate 42, and are shown in Fig. 2. The shaft G l for the upper sprocket so, which also may be the drive sprocket, may be mounted on an arm Bl which extends laterally from a vertically adjustable, tubular housing S8, by which the forward end of pull assembly P may be adjusted vertically,

while shaft 66 may carry a worm gear 69, for driving sprocket Bil. Shafts E55 and 65, for the lower and end sprockets 6| and 62, respectively, may be mounted on a suitable support, such as an irregularly shaped bar "Hi, the upper end of which may be pivotally mounted on shaft 54. Bar '18 extends angularly downwardly past shaft 85, to" a lower horizontalsection H then slightly upwardly and rearwardly to shaft 66 for end sprocket 62. As in Fig. 16, the end sprocket 62 is adjustable along bar 783, as through bolt 12 extending through shaft 65 and also through a slot 13 in bar ill, a corresponding slot 13' being formed in plate 42, as also shown in Fig. 2, through which bolt 12 extends. Guide strip 53 may be supported from the end of bar 10, as by an arm 14 mounted thereon. Just forward of the end sprocket 82, as in Figs. 15 and 16, bar ill may be supported by a pivot pin it mounted in the forked upper end of a vertical rod it, the lower end of which extends through a clamp ll, hywhich the vertical posltionof the rear end ofthe pull assembly P maybe adjusted.

The position of the sprocket 5! determines the point at which the finger F will begin the rise at pull-off, and the comparative elevation of sprockets 6i and 62 will determine the angular relation, if any, between the lower path of traverse of chain 39 and the path of movement of the ampoules. The sprockets SI and 62 may be at substantially the same elevation, so that the "lower path of traverse of the chain 39 will be parallel to the path of movement of the ampoules, as in Fig. 2, or a slight'rise'may take place between sprockets 62 and BI. When the finger F of Fig; 12 is utilized, the guide bar 83 maybe adjusted so that the desired swing of the finger is obtained, or sprocket 62 may be set lower, and a pinion (not shown) placed just ahead of sprocket 62 to raise chain '39 shortly thereafter. Or, a slight rise may be obtained by positioning a sprocket 18, shown in Fig. 15 in use as a pre pull sprocket, relatively close to sprocket Pi? As described previously, the pro-pull may be imposed after the neck 28 of the amopule has become softened, and may be obtained by passage of chain 39 over a pro-pull sprocket it, as shown in Figs. 15 and 17, which produces a slight elevation in the path of traverse of the chain 39 as it passes thereover. A balancing sprocket 19 may also engage chain 39 from above to press the chain downwardly against the pro-pull sprocket, so that the path of chain 39 between end sprocket 62 and the pro-pull position may be'made'horizontal. As in Fig. 17, the balancing sprocket IQ may engage the top of chain 39 to the inside of the pro-pull sprocket l8, so as to more adequately maintain chain 39, and particularly the rods 4| and fingers F, in horizontal position. The sprockets l8 and is are suitably mounted for adjustment, as on a bar as provided with a slot 3!, through which slot a bolt 82 or other suitable clamping device may pass, to permit adjustment of the relationship between the sprockets l8 and 19, as well as the vertical posi- 1 than of pro-pull sprocket 18. A slot 83 in the horizontal section ll of bar permits the longi- '12 tudinal position of the bar 80, and sprockets 18 and is with it, to be adjusted as desired. Thus, the sprockets F3 and i9, through bar 8%, may be adjusted, as from the full to the dotted posltio of Fig. 15, and also to other positions. 3

In order to move eachfinger F of Fig. 12 to a lower position, so as to pass around the stem, and then upwardly to engage the bulge at the upper end of the ampoule, the sprockets l8 and F9 may be positioned closely adjacent the sprocket 52, which latter may be positioned lower than shown. Thus, in passing around sprocket 62, the fingers F will be moved to a lower position, while the chain in passing around sprocket 18 will move thefingers sharply upwardly so that each will in turn engagethe bulge at the upper end of the respective 'amp'oule. The upper end of sprocket i8, is, in such a case, preferably at a desired height to maintain the chain along the desired path of traverse between this point and the pull sprocket Sl.

As also shown in Fig. 15, the flame pipe 31 may be mounted for vertical and-angular adjustment, as by an angular supporting rod 84 therefor extending through a clamp 85, which may be loosened to adjust the pipe 37, and then tightened to maintain the pipe in adjusted position. Both clamp '85, for flame pipe 37, and clamp 11 for pull assembly P, may be mounted on the framework of housing H;

A suitable drive arra-ngement'for the conveyor C, the bolts 22 and 22' of spinning section S, and

' the endless chain 33 of the pull assembly P, may

be constructed in the manner illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 18. All of the moving parts may be driven from a single drive motor 85, mounted within the housing H of Fig. 1, and provided with a speed reducer 81 which drives a lower vertical shaft 88, releasably connected with an upper shaft 89 on which a lower worm 90 is mounted. An upper worm 9! on shaft 39 engages worm gear to, mounted on shaft 64' of sprocket 69, thereby driving the chain 39. The lower worm 99 engages a Worm gear 92, mounted on a transverse shaft 93, which carries a sprocket '94 adapted to drive, by means of a chain a coupling sprocket 96. The coupling sprocket 85 is adapted to rotate a transverse shaft 91 on which are mounted bevel gears 98, in turn engaging bevel pinions $9 and 95'. Pinion 99 is mounted on the lower end of a vertical shaft I30, on which is mounted the drive roller 28 for the endless belt 22, while pinion 99' is mounted on the lower end of a vertical shaft I00, on the upper end of which idler pulley 29 for belt 22' maybe journaled and which carries in an intermediate position a pulley l0], as in Fig. 20. Through a drive belt I02, pulley ID! is connected with a pulley 33 on drive shaft I'M for pulley 28 for belt 22', so that each belt 22 and 22 will be pulled along the ampoules. The pulleys I01 and. H33 may differ in diameter, to produce the difference in speeds of belts 22 and 22', as when determined by the formulae previously given. As in Figs. 18 and 19, the bevel gears 98, 98' preferably face to the same side, so that the drive rollers 28 for the endless belts 22 and '22" will be rotated in the same direction, but cause the endless belts 22 and 22 to move past the ampoules in opposite directions, as described previously.

Through a sprocket H35 mounted thereon, transverse shaft 91 also drives endless chain H] of the conveyor C, by means of a chain I06 which passes around sprocket I05 and also around a sprocket I01 mounted on a shaft I08 of the drive ampoules.

sprocket I2 for chain I0. As shown in Fig. 19, the coupling sprocket 96 may beprovided with a flange I 09 having one or more pointed set screws IIIl adapted to engage a V-groove HI in transverse shaft 91, so that the position of the cups II of the conveyor C may be synchronized exactly with the position of the fingers F on the endless chain 39 of the pull assembly. Such adjustment may be accomplished by loosening the set screws IIO, moving the chain Ill to a desired position, and then tightening the set screws.

The vertically adjustable housing 68, as in Fig. 21, may be split at its lower end and provided with a clamping screw H2, as also shown in Fig. 15, the lower split end of the housing 68 being adapted to enclose the upper end of a tubular post H3 and to be adjusted upwardly and downwardly along the same. To accommodate this upward and downward adjustment, the upper end of shaft 89 may be splined, for movement of jworm 9i therealong, a ball bearing II l being suitably provided above and below the worm 9i, as at the upper and lower ends of a slot H5 in housing 58, through which worm gear 69 is adapted to extend, to engage the worm 9!. The lower shaft 88 may also be mounted in ball bearings H6, in a lower tube H'I which is provided with a slot H8, through which worm gear 92 is; adapted to extend, to engage worm 90. A disengageable coupling is preferably formed between the shafts 88 and 89, as by a pin M9 on engageable coupling between the shafts as and 89, the entire pull assembly P may be removed,

if desired, by lifting the post H3, shaft 89 and worm 90 with the pull assembly. As will be evident, other and equally suitable constructions for transmitting the desired power from a drive motor or the like to the various chains and spinning belts may be utilized.

It may sometimes occur that the vertical position or diameter of neck I8 of a large number, such as several thousand or more, of ampoules of the same nominal size may vary to the extent that spinning is retarded or-of more concern the engagement by the fingers F during heating may tend to break the ampoules, as by too great a pull or support of the upper ends of the The guide plates 24 and 25 are, of course, relatively inflexible, but are satisfactory for ampoules within certain tolerances. However,

adequately restrain the lower portion of the ampoule from vertical movement, yet can be moved slightly apart, or upwardly, to accommodate variaticns in diameter or vertical position of neck I8.

' The construction of Fig. 22 is perhaps more flexible with respect to variation in vertical position of the neck I8, and when considerable variation in diameter thereof is encountered, the

"construction of Fig. 23 may be utilized. As shown therein, side plates 24 and 25' may terminate short of the, ampoule, with a flexible strip I22 mounted for sliding lateral movement, against a series of springs I21. The slides may be formed by the flexible strips I22, which may be disposed below the plates 24 and 25, as shown, or above the same, and narrow strips I28, held together against spacing strips I29 by screws I39, may be spaced a few inches apart along the plates, and connected to screws I30 by tension strips I3I, the opposite ends of the springs being attached to ears or projections I32, mounted on or otherwise formed to extend from plates 24 and 25. As will be evident, the strips I22 can move inwardly or outwardly readily to accommodate variations in diameter of neck I8, and can also flex or bend to accommodate variations in position of the necks.

It will be evident that the flexible strips I22 of Fig. 22 can be used on one side of the ampoules, and the strips I22 and slide arrangement of Fig. 23 can be used on the opposite side. Also, the flexible guide strips may be placed along the entire length of the heating section, or only a portion thereof, as warranted by conditions, and when the variation is primarily in the diameter of the necks I8, a sliding guide strip, as in Fig. 23, may be utilized on one side only.

To provide the desired temperature and other characteristics of the heating flames, a construction similar to that illustrated in Fig. 24 may be utilized, wherein an air pipe I39, an oxygen pipe 55 I and a fuel gas pipe I 32-the flow through each being controlled by a separate valve I33lead to a manifold we, in which a mixture of air and fuel gas, or oxygen enriched air and fuel gas, or, if desired, oxygen and fuel gas, is made. The mixture passes through a flexible hose or tube I35 to one end of the flame pipe 31, for delivery to nozzles 38 and discharge through orifices 36, as in Fig. 26. The right angle post 34, as indicated previously, is adjustable vertically by means of clamp 85, while the laterally extending end of post 84 may be provided with a friction clamp I36, adapted to hold the pipe 31 in a satisfactory position, by permitting the pipe to be moved to any desired longitudinal position.

It will be evident, of course, that other ways of forming and/or adjusting the heating flames, as

well as positioning the same, may be utilized. The heating flames may be discharged through orifices which are equallyspaced in a, single longitudinal row, such as orifices 36 of Fig. 2, or in other and different relationships, such as illustrated in Figs. 27 and 28. For instance, as in Fig. 27, some of the orifices may be disposed in pipe 38' in a double row, such as orifices 36", both before and after orifices 36 disposed in a single row, so that a double row of orifices 35 will be provided during initial heating and also during the final pull, with a single row of orifices 36 being positioned between initial heating and the beginning of the final pull, and also for melting down the severed end and completing sealing. Again, as in Fig. 28, a triple, staggered row of orifices 36 may be positioned to heat initially, with a single row of orifices 35 following until the beginning of the final pull, at which time a double row of orifices 35" provide heat, and after which another single row of orifices 36 provide heat for melting down and completion of the sealing. When a pre-pull is utilized, the initial heating may continue through pre-pull, while similar orifice patterns may be made in the nozzles 38 of Figs. 2426. Although a number of variations in flame pattern have been shown, it will be evident that different flame patterns may be utilized, in accordance with specific heating requirements;

It may sometimes happen that the scaled upper ends of the completed ampoules are not sufficiently cool, immediately after passage beyond the heating flames, to permit handling as soon as desired. In such instance, a jet or series of jets of air or other gas, which may be warmed, can be directed against the sealed ends, to cool the same down to a temperature at which handling is convenient. As in Fig. 29, an air pipe I58 may be positioned in longitudinal alignment with the flame pipe 31, the air pipe I38 being supplied with air or other desired cooling me dium through a flexible hose or tube I39. Similar to the flame pipe 31, the air pipe IE8 may be adjustable longitudinally by a friction clamp i 15 provided on a right angle post MI, which in turn is adjustable vertically through a clamp I52. As will be evident, a gas other than air may be utilized for cooling, and the temperature of the air or gas may be varied in accordance with the rate of cooling desired. Also, the orifices in the pipe I38, through which such air is discharged, may be disposed in a single row, or may be disposed in different or varying patterns, as discussed above in connection with the flame orifices. Or, the air may be discharged through nozzles or a longitudinal slit or slot in the air pipe I38, which also may direct the air angularly downwardly, or upwardly, as desired.

As will be evident, numerous variations may be made in the apparatus as previously described. For instance, the cups adapted to receive the ampoules may be constructed, such as in the manner of the cup II of Fig. 30, to accommodate an ampoule A having a lower or main body section I? provided with a lower extension IM. To accommodate such as ampoule, the cup I I is provided with a hole M5 which also extends through strip I4, through which hole the ampoule extension I44 is adapted to extend. The ampoule extension 144 also extends through the chain II), which for the purpose may be a double or triple chain, such as a relatively wide chain having a relatively wide span between links, or may be formed, in effect, by two spaced chains connected together by central pins I46. For the chain I, a pair of sprockets is preferably provided at each end, the sprockets being side by side. However, the upper guide bars I5 and lower guide bars I6 for the strips I4, and also the ampoule guide plates 24 and 25, the flame pipe 31, and the fingers F, as well as other parts associated with the same, may be constructed in the various ways described previously.

Certain types of ampoules are not provided with the upper enlargement or filling guide 2|, such as the ampoules A and A of Figs. '7 and 30, respectively, but instead, as in the case of the ampoule A of Figs. 31 and 32, the upper end I48 is cylindrical or straight. In order to effectively seal ampoules of this type, it is necessary to grasp the upper end I48, rather than merely inserting a finger or hook beneath the filling guide cup. A modification of the apparatus previously described, particularly adapted to seal ampoules of this type, is illustrated in Figs. 31 to 34. Such apparatus may include a conveyor having cups II, a spinning section including endless belts 22 and 22', and guide plates 24 and 25, between the edges 23 of which the neck I8 of the ampoule is adapted to fit. The pull assembly may include an endless chain 39 and a drive therefor, as well as spaced blocks 40 and a top discharge chute 45, as before, but has a special device for ripping and releasing the top I43 of each ampoule. Each such special device, as in Figs. 311-33, may include a laterally extending rod I49 which is mounted at its inner end on block is and provided at its outer end with a jaw I50 having a block I5I of heat resistant material, such as silicone rubber. A slide I52 having a jaw I53 at its outer end, also provided with a block I5I of heat resistant material, is normally pressed outwardly by a spring I54, which may bear against a relatively heavy flange I55 at the inner end of slide I52 and which also preferably extends upwardly from the rod I39, as in Fig. 31. The slide I52 and rod I49, together with their jaws I55 and I53, are preferably made of heat resistant material, such as stainless steel or the like, but the flange I55 is made of magnetic material. Thus, as in Figs. 31 and 34, when the flange I55 comes within the field of attractionof a magnet I56, the jaw I53 of slide I52 will close toward jaw I55, thereby clamping the upper end Ids of the ampoule A" between the blocks .I5I, which are adapted to clamp the glass without breaking or cracking it. The spring I54 is preferably relatively Weak, inasmuch as very little force is necessary to force the slide I52 outwardly and the jaws I55 and I53 apart when there is no pull by magnet I56 on flange I55. However, magnet I55 is preferably a relatively strong per manent magnet, as shown, or an electro-magnet, which is adapted to produce sufiicient pressure between the jaws to cause the upper end I48 of the ampoule to be clamped securely. As in Fig. 34, the extent of magnet I55 is such that, as soon as the end of the magnet is reached, the spring I54 will produce a separation of the jaws and cause the removed upper ends of the ampoules to be dropped into chute 45, in a manner similar .to that previously described.

In order to cause the fingers to slide down over the ampoule stems, before closing on them, the path of travel of the fingers may be slightly different, as in Fig. 34. The plate 42' may be cut away at the lower rear, and the various sprockets, as represented by their shafts 54, 65 and 65, respectively, may be positioned somewhat as before, except that the rear sprocket, on shaft 66, may be higher than previously. Also, an additional sprocket, mounted on a shaft I51, may be placed above the start of magnet I55, to maintain the chain and fingers along the desired lower traverse path.

When greater stability of the endless chain adapted to carry the fingers F around is desired, a chain 35, of Fig. 35, may be utilized, which is a compound chain, such as having What may be termed triple pins, adapted to be supported and driven by spaced pairs of sprockets, a pair of sprockets being placed at the position of each of the sprockets 58, BI and 62 of Fig. 18, or at other desired positions. With such a chain, the prepull sprockets, when used, may be disposed in laterally spaced relation, to increase stability, or may engage the same longitudinal section of the chain.

It may sometimes happen, particularly in the case of relatively small ampoules, such as those of Figs. 10 and 11, that the tops of the ampoules. after the removal, tend to tip backwardly in the fingers F, and instead of discharging into the chute 5, as in Fig. 2, tend to be carried along the upper path of traverse of the fingers, and thus to discharge as the fingers swing around the end sprocket 62 of Fig. 15. In such a case, each finger F may be tipped upwardly, to a higher position, such as to the position of the uppermost finger of Fig. 36, the finger thus being almost .upside down, so that the discharge of the removed end of the ampoule is insured. For tipping the fingers to such a position, a cam may be utilized, or a leaf spring I58, which may be mounted on plate 52 and is adapted to engage each block 40 in turn, as it approaches a position above the chute &5, the upper end of the leaf spring I58 being arcuate or having any other suitable curvature or configuration, so that the spring will tend to be bent forward as it is engaged by block 40, but as the block passes over the spring, it will be raised to the upper position shown. After discharge of the removed end of the ampoule, and passage beyond spring I58, each block 40 and finger F will drop back, to assume a more normal position during passage along the upper edge of guide plate 32.

In the operation of the apparatus previously described, involving a series of cups H or H mounted on an endless chain It or H), the ampoules are placed individually in the cups. A satisfactory way of filling the ampoules and placing them in the cups is by means of one or more operators utilizing filling valves constructed in accordance with my copending application Ser. No. 66,925, filed November 19, 194.8, and entitled jValves, outstanding advantage of which is the ability of the valve to shut off a measured flow almost instantaneously. When the ampoules are to be placed in the cups immediately after filling, a relatively fast filling operation is-necessary, if advantage is to be taken of the capacity of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention. Such a machine has been operated at a speed of over 7,000 ampoules per hour, for which an ampoule must be placed in a 'cup approximately every half second-although for manual operations with a limited number of operators, the speed may have to be reduced. Or, the ampoules may be filled by a machine having a bank of filling valves, operated simultaneously, and adapted to fill a number of ampoules simultaneously, the filling valves thereof preferably being constructed in accordance with my aforementioned application Ser. No. 60,925. A- number of trays may be utilized in connection with such a machine, the trays being adapted to hold a number of ampoules to be filled simultaneously. After the ampoules are placed in the trays, the trays are taken to the filling machine, and after filling, may be passed through a sealing machine constructed in accordance with this invention. It will be understood, of course, that any or all of such operations may be made substantially automatic.

The apparatus of Fig. 37 is adapted to seal the filled ampoules carried by the trays, which are adapted to contain nine amopules A, or any other desired number, and include a bottom plate I60, a top plate l6! and ends 162. The bottom plate 116% is imperforate, but the top plate IGI is provided with spaced holes of the correct size to receive the ampoules. Each end I62 of the trays may be provided with a slot I63 on each side, to accommodate the spinning belts 22 and 22', which, in the apparatus of Fig. 37, engage the ampoules adjacent the bottoms thereof. The apparatus of Fig. 3? also includes guide plates 23 and 25", between the edges of which the necks i8 of the ampoules A pass, as before. Flame pipe 31' is adapted to direct heating flames against the sealing sections 20 of the ampoules, while the fingers F" are adapted to engage the underside of the upper portion 2! of each ampoule, and to remove the upper portion after the sealing section has been softened and melted together by the heating flames. The fingers F" may be similar to the fingers F of the apparatus of Fig. l, or provided with a fork I64 on the end of a shank ice, the shank I65 enabling the finger to be inserted between two ampoules, and the fork I64 to engage the upper end of the ampoule just ahead. The fingers F" may be pivotally mounted on an endless chain 39, and the removed upper ends of the ampoules discharged into a chute 45.

In the apparatus of Fig. 37, the movement of the fingers F" must, of course, be synchronized with the movement of the trays T and the ampoules A carried thereby. For this purpose, the endless chain It may be provided with a plurality of spaced lugs I66, the distance between the ends I62 of the trays preferably being so proportioned that one of the lugs I66 will catch behind either the front end or the rear end of the tray, and the ampoules will be automatically positioned with respect to the fingers. The moving parts of the apparatus may be driven by a motor 86', having a speed reducer 81 on which a sprocket for a drive chain I68 is mounted. The drive connection between chain I68 and drive chain its for the chain 39' of the pull assembly, as well as the drive connection to drive sprocket 12 for chain It" and the bevel gears 98 for the endless belts 22 and 22', are preferably conventional.

The carrier and spinning section is also subject to variation, an example of which is illustrated in Figs. 38 to 49, inclusive. Thus, the spinning belts may be eliminated entirely, and instead a spinning and restraining strip T, or spinning and pressure element, shown in Figs. 38 to 40, utilized. The strip T may extend for the entire length of the spinning section, or for any length desired, the inside of the strip being engaged by the lower portion I"! of an ampoule A, the latter being turned by engagement with the surface of the strip as it is moved along by the conveyor. The strip T is therefore made of a material, such as rubber, which has a relatively high coefficient of friction with glass. The strip T, as in Fig. 38, may be mounted on one or more brackets I15, adjustable toward and away from the ampoules by one or more thumb screws 21, :each extending through a slot 25 in the bracket, to accommodate the various diameters of ampoules of different nominal sizes. The surface of the strip T engaged by the ampoule may be provided with a series of ribs or corrugations H5, extending generally longitudinally but slanting downwardly in the direction of movement, so as to tend to press the ampoule downwardly against the carrier, such ribs thus constituting one form of means for restraining axial movement of the lower portion of each container or ampoule. The strip T of Fig. 41, which may be utilized instead of strip T, is Wider at the top than at the bottom, thus being provided with a bulge ill adapted to engage the shoulder of the ampoule just above the lower portion ll, as shown. Strip T with its ribs llt is particularly adapted to be utilized when the axial restraint necessary does not involve a particularly large force, while the strip T is more especially adapted to be utilized when a greater force of axial restraint is involved, such as when a pre-pull is utilized. However, the strip T may also be used when a smaller restraining force is normally necessary, in order to insure that each of the ampoules will be held down securely. Guide 

